A MAN is considering a protest to the Local Government Ombudsman over controversial plans to develop the Ling Dynamics (LDS) site in Royston. Peter Mitchell, of Heath Avenue, Royston, is angry that plans for a housing development on the site have been app

A MAN is considering a protest to the Local Government Ombudsman over controversial plans to develop the Ling Dynamics (LDS) site in Royston.

Peter Mitchell, of Heath Avenue, Royston, is angry that plans for a housing development on the site have been approved by North Herts District Council.

He was one of a group of residents in Heath Avenue and Chilcourt who originally objected to the scheme, which would see more than 100 homes built on the site.

Mr Mitchell is considering complaining to the Local Government Ombudsman, claiming the current scheme does not meet planning laws.

The district council has given the go-ahead for both Stephen Howard Homes and McCarthy & Stone to build homes on the site.

Mr Mitchell, who has lived in Heath Avenue for 20 years, said: "I have been objecting to the type of development planned for the site since it was first proposed, as well as the proximity of the new scheme which will be adjacent to my property."

The development will take place half-a-metre away from the boundary between the site and Mr Mitchell's property, meaning that it will be only two metres from his conservatory.

Mr Mitchell said: "The development on the site will severely affect our premises.

"The five-metre high brick wall is going to overshadow the side of our property.

"All we will see from the seven windows at the side of our house will be solid brick."

Mr Mitchell believes that the council has failed to take the proximity of his property into consideration.

He said: "It seems as if someone has just drawn a line without any thought and decided to build from there. They haven't even been in my garden to see how close my conservatory is to the boundary.

"All they have done is measure from the front of my house, which is further away than the conservatory is."

Mr Mitchell has written to the district council's planning department and all the town and district councillors on a number of occasions.

He said: "I have asked why it has to be built so close to the boundary, but they just don't want to know. I feel that I haven't been listened to.

"I live in hope that something can be done, but once the plans have been passed that's it.

"It's been a constant battle and I have done all I can to object. It seems a losing battle and I believe I have been misrepresented.